Note to self: The traditional Yoga practices of relaxation (pratyahara) & meditation (dharana / dhyana) are
NOT about “blissing out” … these
p r a c t i c e s
support us in tuning in … to all the thoughts & feelings
begging for attention … & allow us
s p a c e
to choose what we keep & what we gently say “thank you” to
(those thoughts/feelings that were trying to keep us safe, for example)
& send along its way.
So when you meditate, you’re DOING MEDITATION JUST FINE when thoughts & feelings arise … you’re allowing space for whatever comes up, stuff that may’ve been buried for a while & finally gets listened to … & when it’s hard … WHEN it’s hard, not if … then love on yourself extra that day. You’ve had a breakthrough, & deserve rest, extra care & love.
I practice & share Hatha Yoga for a simple reason -- it works. Hatha Yoga in the Himalayan Tradition is a holistic system of philosophy & practices passed down through an unbroken 5,000 year lineage of Himalayan sages. What Hatha Yoga is not: trendy, bendy or one-&-done. What Hatha Yoga is: a systematic approach to uncovering the real, authentic YOU in body, mind & spirit. Hatha Yoga cultivates well-being, stability, clarity & ease in modern life through traditional, time-tested practices.
I also recognize both our shared humanity & our differing privileges & barriers -- I am a cis-gendered white female with a graduate degree, who has dealt with family trauma & an eating disorder. My goals in my own practice include to cultivate awareness of my own privileges & social conditioning, unlearn & re-learn in order to be mindful & take compassionate action toward a more beautiful, just & peaceful world for ALL humans, creatures & our Earth. I'm making mistakes daily, & hopeful that I'm falling forward toward these goals & vision.
I hope we can walk our paths & support each other along the way.
View more posts
Erica Engel 